Delayed Response to Call Bell for Resident Requiring Assistance
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with hemiparesis and unsteadiness, who required assistance from two staff members and a mechanical lift for transfers and toileting, did not receive timely assistance after activating the call bell for help to use the bathroom. The resident's care plan specified that staff were to provide assistance with toileting as needed and that the resident had been educated to call staff for help. On the day of the incident, the resident activated the call bell at 11:09 a.m. and informed staff of the need for assistance. A staff member acknowledged the request and stated they would return with another staff member, but no one returned promptly. The call bell remained activated for 39 minutes, and the resident continued to wait for assistance, reiterating that no staff had returned during this period. Staff did not return to the resident's room to provide the required assistance until 11:48 a.m. The Director of Nursing later confirmed that staff were expected to respond to call bells in a more timely manner. This delay in response resulted in the facility failing to provide a reasonable accommodation of the resident's needs as required.
Plan Of Correction
The facility will continue to provide a reasonable accommodation of needs. 1. R3, upon notification, was followed up with by the unit manager and has no further concerns. 2. Call bell response time was addressed at resident council on 8/5/2025. Concerns were addressed, and call bell response time audits will be initiated. 3. The Director of Nursing or designee will provide nursing staff education on call bell response times and addressing the needs of residents. 4. A call bell audit will be completed by the Director of Nursing or designee for 20 residents weekly for 4 weeks, with results communicated to the QAPI Committee. 5. Date of compliance is 08/20/2025. The facility will continue to provide a reasonable accommodation of needs. 1. R3, upon notification, was followed up with by the unit manager and has no further concerns. 2. Call bell response time was addressed at resident council on 8/5/2025. Concerns were addressed, and call bell response time audits will be initiated. 3. The Director of Nursing or designee will provide nursing staff education on call bell response times and addressing the needs of residents. 4. A call bell audit will be completed by the Director of Nursing or designee for 20 residents weekly for 4 weeks, with results communicated to the QAPI Committee. 5. Date of compliance is 08/20/2025.